For Immediate Release November 19th, 2025
LAKE ISABELLA, CA - Sierra Shared Spaces has achieved another major victory for the communities of the Kern River Valley. Sierra Shared Spaces is proud to announce the acceptance of a grant from the California Jobs First Catalyst Fund that will pave the way for the development of a Community Hub in Lake Isabella.
The grant will fund the development phase of the project, which will include working with the community and bringing in project partners to turn the community’s vision into architectural drawings and construction plans. The project will be ready for the construction phase by the end of 2026.
Once complete, this multi-purpose facility will foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and community connection. The Community Hub will host training programs, classes, and workshops, and it will provide shared office space for small businesses, local and regional nonprofits, remote workers, and students. The Community Hub will feature a large modern community event space, and will be designed to serve the unique needs of the rural community, including serving as a disaster resilience center during and following natural disasters and public safety events.
The Community Hub will be built in partnership with local and regional organizations that are committed to the growth and prosperity of the Kern River Valley. “We want to change the perception of what is possible in the Kern River Valley,” said Justin Powers, President of Sierra Shared Spaces. “We can’t do that without our partners in the community and from around Kern County.” Organizations that are interested in partnering with Sierra Shared Spaces are encouraged to reach out to partnerships@sierrashared.space.
A community celebration to recognize the occasion will be held at Kernville Cowork on Friday, December 12th at 4pm. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is encouraged by visiting https://x.gldn.io/e/lXNltkuLqYb.
This win follows an announcement in July of Sierra Shared Spaces’ acquisition of the property where the Community Hub will be built. The property, located at the corner of Suhre St and Turner Ave in Lake Isabella, was identified by the community as an ideal location for the project. Once operational, the hub will be self-sustainable - providing space, services, resources, education, and employment opportunities for local residents.
Sierra Shared Spaces has gained recognition and support from international pioneers in collaborative spaces and Social Purpose Real Estate. A key collaborator in the development phase of the project is Creative Blueprint, a firm that specializes in community-led placemaking. Creative Blueprint founder Ashley Proctor has been developing community hubs, land trusts, creative, cultural, and coworking spaces across North America for more than 20 years. “The Community Hub in Lake Isabella is being co-designed and co-created by local residents” said Ashley Proctor. “We work in partnership with the project team and the community to transform ideas into impact, and this is a unique opportunity to create impact that will last for generations.”
Sierra Shared Spaces is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging shared workspaces, partnerships, and community engagement to lift up economically disadvantaged and underserved rural communities, starting with the Kern River Valley.